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How do I relocate my download folder

With Zen Cart® it is possible to relocate the "download" folder outside your webserver's "webroot" (the public_html or httpdocs or htdocs etc) folder so that thieves cannot directly link to real files on your server and download without paying or being authenticated.

To do this, you must:

Choose a download method of either "Download by Streaming" or "Download by Redirect" from Admin->Configuration->Attribute Settings.If you're using a Linux server, either option is suitable.If you're using a Windows server running IIS, you may not be able use redirects (depending on PHP version and whether or not your server allows PHP symlinks). Instead, you will need to use Download by Streaming in order to handle secured downloads.

Use your FTP program to move your "download" folder outside your webroot. Perhaps drag-and-drop it to a level "above" your public_html folder. The method you choose for moving or creating this folder will depend on your hosting account and the tools available to you for moving folders.

Usually the "download" folder is located inside your store area, for example:- /home/my_user_name/public_html/mystore/download

You want to move it "above" your public_html folder, something like this:- /home/my_user_name/download

Edit your two configure.php files to show the new path to your download folder:- /includes/configure.php- /your_admin_folder_name/includes/configure.php

You'll need to edit the line that says this:

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');

to look something like this:

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', '/home/my_user_name/download/');

Specifically, you need to indicate the exact complete path for the webserver's filesystem that points to your download folder. You could use your DIR_FS_CATALOG entry in your configure.php file as a reference, and make appropriate adjustments. Your FTP program and/or your webserver's hosting control panel should be able to help you understand the complete path.